Five new solicitor advocates granted extended rights of audience

Extended rights of audience have been granted to five new solicitor advocates in a ceremony held at the Court of Session in Edinburgh on Wednesday 6 August.

Law Society of Scotland President Patricia Thom invited Lord Summers to administer the Declaration of Allegiance to the solicitor advocates as they joined the five solicitor advocates welcomed to court last month.

Gaining extended rights of audience to appear in the Court of Session, the Supreme Court and the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council are:

• Katie Graham, Wheatley Housing Association
• Theresa Mutapi, Digby Brown LLP
• Andrew Upton, Harper Macleod LLP
• Jennifer Wallace, South Lanarkshire Council
• Stephanie Watson, Thorntons Law LLP

Patricia Thom said: “It’s a pleasure and an honour to be back in the Court of Session today to celebrate the hard work of our new solicitor advocates.

“Today’s admittees have gone through a demanding training and assessment process to reach this milestone. They should be proud of what they’ve achieved and ready for the opportunities that lie ahead as a result.

“Solicitor advocates are a highly skilled and valued subset of Scotland’s solicitor profession. We are pleased to see the ongoing strong levels of interest in pursuing rights to appear in Scotland’s highest courts.”

From L-R: Andrew Upton, Theresa Mutapi, Jennifer Wallace, Law Society President Patricia Thom, Stephanie Watson and Katie Graham